Lift hinge for automobiles



y 1, 1956 A. R. TURNER 2,743,476

LIFT HINGE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July 20, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l 74Lo/vzo 05527 EeA/Ee M 7' Wk y 1956 A. R. TURNER 2,743,476

LIFT HINGE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July 20, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2lNVE/VTOB 142 0/1/20 05527 fine/we United States Patent LIFT HINGE FORAUTOMOBILES Application July 20, 1950, Serial No. 174,897

6 Claims. (Cl. 16-141) The present invention relates to a hingeconstruction and especially to a novel hinge assembly for pivotallymounting a cover member or closure such'as those employed for the reardeck or trunk as well as the hood of an automobile.-

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novelhinge assembly for pivotally mounting a cover member or closure for anautomobile about a horizontal axis and automatically retaining thiscover member or closure in any position or degree of opening.

The present invention furthercomprehends the provision of'a novelcounter-balanceing hinge construction that maintains the cover member orclosure counterbalanced in any position between completely closed andfully open. By reason of this novel hinge arrangement, a positivefinger-tip control is provided so that the cover member or closure maybe easily and quickly elevated or lowered by the expenditure of aminimum of effort and positively maintained in its adjusted position.

In'the'novel embodiment of the present invention, the cover member orclosure is spring-loaded in all positions of movement from closed tofully open position, but is maintained in any position to which it ismoved until manual effort again moves it from that position. This covermember or closure functions as a lever to com press the spring when thecover or closure is moved to its lowered, closed position, and thecompressed spring is employed to help or augment the lifting eifort inthe raising of the cover or closure whenmanually moved to an elevated,open position. Thus the effect of gravity is counter-balanced with thecover or closure automatically held in any position to which it is movedor adjusted, and only a small external force is required to raise orlower it from its closed or open positions or to change its position.

It will thus be evident that the present invention effectivelyeliminates any danger of the cover member or closure from swingingtoward open position or from dropping toward closed position whenreleased from a fully or partially open position.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of anovel lift hinge construction which permits the cover member or closureto be moved from closed position through an arc of approximately 90 toopen position and thereby give maximum access to the trunk orcompartment when the cover member or closure is in fully open position.By reason of the novel construction and arrangement, when the covermember or closure is fully open, the greater portionof the weightthereof is disposed directly over the pivot point of the cam arm.

A further object is the provision in the novel lift hinge assembly ofthe present invention, of a novel means of pivotally mounting the covermember or closure in such manner that when it is moved from its closedposition to an open position, its initial movement is in a substantiallyhorizontal plane for a considerable height before it moves through anarcuate path to fully open position.

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Thus when this novel hinge is used to pivotally mount ,a deck lid orclosure for a trunk or hood the hinge assembly permits maximum utilityof the available space beneath the closure.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a novelhinge assembly that is extremely compact and is mounted upon theencompassing shell of the automobile body at the opposite sides of theopening of the trunk or compartment. As most hinge constructions andespecially those now employed with the rear deck or lid for the trunk,require a pair of elongated springs and support mountings disposedbeneath the shell of the body and beneath and rearwardly of the rearwindows of the automobile, it has not been practicable to mount the rearwindow closely adjacent the rear deck or trunk lid. And in convertibles,the prior springs and their support mountings require space beneath theshell of the body that should be available to receive the convertibletop when in lowered position. By the present invention this objectionhas been completely obviated as no part of the hinge extends beneath thespace or shell of the body forwardly of the trunk opening, but isdisposed in the opposite corners and laterally of the opening.

Another important feature of the present invention is that the hingemounting and assembly is disposed laterally of the trunk or hood openingand adjacent the upper corners thereof so that the opening isunobstructed. Furthermore, no part of the hinge assembly in open or inclosed position projects beneath the stationary mounting support. Thusthere is provided an unobstructed interior which greatly augments theavailable space in the compartment of the trunk or beneath the hood ofan automobile.

A further object is the provision of a novel means and manner ofmounting this lift hinge assembly in the body of an automobile at theopposite sides of the opening adapted to be closed by the cover memberor closure. This mounting is accomplished in the most rigid portion ofthe trunk area available where there is provided suitable means such asa channelled or ribbed bar or strap for reenforcing the shell of theautomobile.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,efficiency, economy and ease of assem; bly and operation, and suchfurther objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fullyappear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, colbination andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and whilethere is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understoodthat the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehendsother details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions Withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the rear of anautomobile with the trunk closure or deck lid in raised or open positionto disclose the construction and arrangement of the present novel lifthinge assembly when applied to the trunk or rear compartment.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, part in side elevation and part invertical cross-section, showing in full lines the trunk closure or decklid and lift hinge in closed position and in dotted outline the closureor lid and lift hinge in fully open or elevated position.

Fig. 3 is a partially disassembled view in perspective of the novelhinge construction.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the complete hinge assembly with partsof the spring housing and mount ing or supporting bracket broken awayfor clearer illustration, and showing the position of the componentparts when the lid or closure is in a raised or open position.

drawinglandtorthe novel embodiment selected to illustrate the presentinvention, the novel lifthingeassembly isushown: asemployed in pivotallymounting a cover memberior closure :such as the trunkdeck lid orthehoodl'llqifor-an automobile (Fig. 6). The novel hinge constructionAcomprises a'hollow mounting frameor supporting bracket 12 having a rearmounting plate 13 provided'with one'or more openings 14 for-attachment10 a? tranverse supporting member! 15 by bolts, screws oruotherattaching means. The rnounting'frame or sup-- porting-bracket isprovidedwith a laterally'projecting and longitudinally extendinganchoring flange 16 adapted to=be attachedto the-underside of the shellof the. automobile body along an edge lti of the access opening of thetrunk compartment 19, andprovided with suitably spacedopenings 14 forthe reception of. anchoring bolts,

screws-or other attaching means.

1 Pivotally mounted by means of its spacing bifurcations or ends 21within the hollow of the mounting frame or supporting bracket 12 andupon a transverse pivot pin 22 journalled-inthe spaced sides of theframe or bracket, is a housing 23. This housing provides an enclosurefor receivinga compression or coil spring 24 seating at its lower endagainst a flange or abutment 25 provided at the-base of the housing anddisposed adjacent the pivot 22. At its upper end the coil spring seatsagainst a cam follower shown as comprising a substantially U-shapedslide or yoke 26 having its opposite, spaced arms 27 slotted at 28 tofreely receive the endsof a pin 29carrying a roller or follower 31maintained in contacting engagement with the cam face 32 of a cam 33.

The cam33 is secured toand carried by a cam arm 34;pivotally lmountedadjacent one end upon a pivot pin 35 carried by the bifurcations orspacedmembers 36 ofthe housing 23. Thispivot pin 35 projects. throughaligned openings 37 in the bifurcations or spaced projecting ends 38. ofthe cam arm 34 and which bifurcations or'ends are bent inwardly toconformably receive and retainthe cam33 in the manner shown in Fig. 3. Apivot pin 39 projects through the ends of the bifurcations or spacedprojecting ends 38 and to an end of this pin 39- is pivotally secured anend of a control arm 41, the other end 42 of this control arm being.pivotally mounted, upon a pivot pin or rivet 43 in a depending side wall44 of the mounting frame or supporting bracket 12.

The cam arm 34 is attached to the nndersideofthe cover member or closure10 for the trunk, and to permit limited longitudinal adjustment of thismounting the arm 34 is provided with spaced slots 45 for the receptionof attaching bolts, screws or thelike.

'l'he face 32 of the cam 33 is so contoured and related to the camfollower that the cover member or closure is maintained counter-balancedin any position between closed and fully open position, and tolock thecover member or closure in fully open position the cam is provided witha concavity 46 in which the roller or cam follower 31 seatsor dwells. Ifdesired, a-concavity adjacent'the end of the cam where it abuts theunderside of the cam arm 34 may be provided if it is desired to lock thecover member or closure in fully closed position. By adjusting theposition of the pivot 43.01? the control arm or link 41 along the sidewall'44; it will be appreciated that the degree of. opening of the covermember or closure may be altered as this controlsarm or link governs thepath of. movement of the movable parts.

From the above description and the disclosure ..in the drawings, it willbe appreciated that the present invention comprehendsa noveltlift hingein'which the cover member or closure may be quickly elevated or .loweredlbyuthev expenditure. 'of. aminimum. .of. -manual effort and positivelymaintained in any desired adjusted position between closed and fullyopen.

Having thus disclosed the invention, 1 claim:

1. A lift hinge assembly for pivotally mounting a cover member upontheibodywf an automobile in such manner as to retain the cover membercounter-balanced in any position between fully closed and fully openpositionssaid hinge assembly includingahollowmounting frame adapted tobe l'litfid to thebodyhianhousing pivotally mounted adjacent one endwithinzthehollow and adjacent one end of the mounting frame, a cam armadapted to-be afiixedto the' cover member, means for pivotallyconnecting. the cam arm adjacent one end thereof to an end of thehousing, a cam carried by the cam arm and provided withv a cam face, acam follower slidably mounted in the housing and provided with a rollerin contacting--engagement with the cam face,.'a. compression springcarried in the housing and in engagement with said cam follower to forcethe roller against, and maintain it in continuous pressure engagementwithr the cam face, said cam, cam follower and spring being soconstructed and arranged as to counter-balance the weight ofthe covermember and maintain it in any position to'wvhich'it is manually moved,and a concavity; in the cam face toreceivethe roller whenthe covermember is moved' to closed position.

2. A lift hinge for pivotally mounting a cover-member for an access"opening upon a support whereby the cover member is adapted to be loweredto close said opening or to be raisedandpermit access to saidopening,.saidlift hinge comprising a hollow frame adapted to bemounted on thesupport,.a housing member pivotally. mountedat one end within saidframeand provided with an abutment, a compressionrspringand a cam vfollowercarriedbyt-and slidably. mounted in .saidhousingmember withone end ofthesp'ring bearing. against .the. follower, andthe other end againstvtheabutment a camarm. adaptedtobecarr-ied bythe. cover member means forpivotally connecting an end of, the cam arm. to said housing member; anda. cam carried by the cam arm'and-having a camfacenwithtthe cam followermaintainedincontinuous pressure. engagement with the cam face by saidcompressionspring whereby; to maintaini'the cover .membercounter-balanced; in any; position between fully; closed and. fully.topem-positions.

3. YA lift, hinge. adaptedi for pivotallylmountinga clo sure for anaccess opening-upon aifixed supporhwhereby the closure isadapted to: belowered .to ClOSfiLSZlldtDPBH ing or ,to.be:raised and permit accesstosaidopening; and maintained in any position to which it ismanuallytmoved, said lift .hinge; comprising. ashollow isupportingbracket adapted to bemounted on the support, a membenpivotally mountedat one end in one end of the bracket, a'compression ispring 'anda carnfollower carried-by andt slidably mounted in said member,-a Jcam. armadapted to-be carried by the closure-and having spaced projections atone end, means for -pivotally connecting the'projections on said arm tosaid member; a cam carried by "the arm betweenssaidprojections andha-vinga cam facealong one edge-'with'the cam follower maintained -in'continuous pressure eontact-withnhe cam faceby said compressionspringy-andamovable controlarm -pivotally-connected at one end tothe camarm at a point spaced from the pivotal connection connecting the camtarm,to' said member and at its other end saidcontrol arm is pivotallyconnected to said supporting bracket whereby to govern the path ofmovement of'the cam arm as .said closure is raised and lowered.

4. A lift hinge for pivotally mounting a cover member for an openinginfthe body. of an automobile, comprising a stationary'frame adapted tobe. secured to.the body, a housing, memberpivotally mounted at one endin the frame, a spring carried in the housing member, a cam followerslidably mounted in the housing member and actuated by the spring, anarm member adapted to be secured to the cover member and pivotallymounted adjacent one end upon the other end of the housing member, a camcarried by the arm member and having a cam face in engagement with thecam follower and maintained in continuous pressure engagement by thespring, and a movable control arm pivotally connected at one end to theframe and at its other end to the cam arm at a point spaced from thepivotal mounting of the arm member upon the housing member for governingthe movement of the cam arm and the degree of opening of the covermemher, said cam face, cam follower and spring being so constructed andarranged as to counterbalance the Weight of the cover member andmaintain it in any position to which it is manually moved, and aconcavity in the cam face for receiving the cam follower when the covermember is closed.

5. A lift hinge for pivotally mounting a closure upon a support wherebythe closure is adapted to be lowered to close an access opening to acompartment or to be raised and permit access to said opening andmaintained in any position to which it is manually moved, said lifthinge comprising a supporting bracket adapted to be mounted on thesupport, a member pivotally mounted upon the bracket, a compressionspring and a cam follower slidably mounted within and carried by saidmember, an arm adapted to be carried by the closure and provided withdepending projections at one end thereof, means for pivotally connectingthe depending projections of said arm to said member, a cam carried bythe arm between said projections and provided with a cam face with thecam follower maintained in continuous pressure contact with the cam faceby said compression spring, and a movable control arm connected at oneend to the supporting bracket and at its opposite end to the dependingprojections of said arm at a point spaced from the pivot connecting saidarm to said member for governing the path of movement of the arm.

6. A lift hinge for pivotally mounting a cover member upon a supportwhereby the cover member is adapted to be lowered to close an opening orto be raised and permit access to said opening, said lift hingecomprising a hollow frame adapted to be fixed to the support, a housingmember pivotally mounted at one end in said frame, a compression springand a cam follower carried by said housing member with the cam followerslidable therein, a cam arm adapted to be adjustably mounted upon thecover member, means for pivotally connecting the cam arm to the otherend of said housing member including depending bifurcations on an end ofsaid cam arm mounted within spaced sides of the housing members, and acam mounted on said cam arm between its bifurcations and having a camface with the cam follower maintained in continuous pressure contactwith the cam face by the compression spring whereby to maintain thecover member counter-balanced in any position between fully closed andfully open positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS618,794 Hyde Jan. 31, 1899 991,026 Redenbeck May 2, 1911 1,645,977 TitusOct. 18, 1927 1,888,345 Cummings Nov. 22, 1932 2,213,230 St. John Sept.3, 1940 2,355,542 Liftin Aug. 8, 1944 2,388,021 Thomas Oct. 30, 19452,392,689 Peglow Jan. 8, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 467,525 Great Britain June18, 1937

